When defending national champion Clemson opened its new $55 million football complex in January, its greatest benefit to player performance — more so than the lounge with barber shop, arcade, bowling alley and laser tag — was the dedicated nap room, stocked with eight bunk beds, three massage chairs and bean bags. The Tigers have now doubled down on the importance of sleep and contracted Rise Science, a Chicago-based sleep coaching program, to ensure that players maximize their natural recovery.
“Sleep is the most potent performance-enhancing activity that we know of,” Rise CEO Jeff Kahn told SportTechie, noting that proper rest exceeds the boost given by any drug or routine.